nOOb question

haps · 03/10/2009, 09:10 AM

Hello all. First and foremost let me congratulate you for a wonderful site full of great information. It makes starting this hobby a bit less stressful.

I've acquired a used 210gal tank with 55 gal sump and both pieces are a mess. The sump is covered with salt and algae and the tank rim is loaded with salt and a delightful glazing of crud on the glass. I searched for a new/used tank cleaning thread but was unable to find one. I'm hesitant to use any chemical based products, but would like to due to the severity of the grime. I would like to get it as clean as possible before setting everything in place. Thanks in advance and I appreciate the info.

Sk8r · 03/10/2009, 09:15 AM

Oh, this is an easy one. Go to Sam's or Costco, buy several gallons of white vinegar, and first wipe down with it. Then do a fill with it and let it stand on really bad pieces, while washing down with a cloth soaked in it. Run it through pumps and lines. It dissolves calcium carbonate and the residue it leaves is harmless to a salt tank. A 210 tank would be ruinous to try to use it straight, but if you soak a rag in it and let it lie on the bad spots, you'll see quick improvement. Running vinegar through equipment for 24 hours will leave them clean as new. It is effective (though not AS effective) at a 50% dilution with plain water. Tap water is ok, because you are going to dry this thoroughly before setup.

When you do fill, use ro/di water as a basis for your salt water. Having your own ro/di filter will be much more economical for you, as a 210 tank may evaporate as much as 4 gallons a day and need ro/di topoff of that amount. If your purchase didn't include an ATO (auto topoff) you may want to look into that, plus a reservoir adequate to supply that over several days. (I use a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Brute trashcan).

mehaffydr · 03/10/2009, 09:16 AM

If It is glass I would use a razor Blade to scrape it clean. I would then clean with vinegar and water and rinse completely. The vinegar will evapoate long before you ever put any livstock in.

rfosgategt · 03/10/2009, 09:19 AM

do what the first guy said, don't use bleach...very bad...

Sk8r · 03/10/2009, 09:20 AM

And by the way

To Reef Central

crvz · 03/10/2009, 09:21 AM

I assume it's a glass tank?

White vinegar is safe, and a good start. You can even fill the tank and soak it in a water/vinegar solution (5:1) overnight to help with any interior cleaning. Exterior you can use some natural cleaning products if you'd like. But again, if any of this is acrylic, may advice may change.

turretdr · 03/10/2009, 09:25 AM

Vinegar, water, and elbow grease.

BTW, don't use anything that contains ammonia, ie. Windex or other glass cleaner.

haps · 03/10/2009, 09:42 AM

Excellent. White vinegar it is. Yes, the tank is glass. I've got the RO/DI sorted and will be fabbing my own top-off circuitry. I'm in the middle of my build at the moment and won't be stocking livestock anytime soon. I have much to learn before I allow one drop of water in my system. Thanks very much for your quick responses.

03/10/2009, 09:10 AM	#1
haps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Missouri.....ish Posts: 11	nOOb question Hello all. First and foremost let me congratulate you for a wonderful site full of great information. It makes starting this hobby a bit less stressful. I've acquired a used 210gal tank with 55 gal sump and both pieces are a mess. The sump is covered with salt and algae and the tank rim is loaded with salt and a delightful glazing of crud on the glass. I searched for a new/used tank cleaning thread but was unable to find one. I'm hesitant to use any chemical based products, but would like to due to the severity of the grime. I would like to get it as clean as possible before setting everything in place. Thanks in advance and I appreciate the info.

03/10/2009, 09:15 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Oh, this is an easy one. Go to Sam's or Costco, buy several gallons of white vinegar, and first wipe down with it. Then do a fill with it and let it stand on really bad pieces, while washing down with a cloth soaked in it. Run it through pumps and lines. It dissolves calcium carbonate and the residue it leaves is harmless to a salt tank. A 210 tank would be ruinous to try to use it straight, but if you soak a rag in it and let it lie on the bad spots, you'll see quick improvement. Running vinegar through equipment for 24 hours will leave them clean as new. It is effective (though not AS effective) at a 50% dilution with plain water. Tap water is ok, because you are going to dry this thoroughly before setup. When you do fill, use ro/di water as a basis for your salt water. Having your own ro/di filter will be much more economical for you, as a 210 tank may evaporate as much as 4 gallons a day and need ro/di topoff of that amount. If your purchase didn't include an ATO (auto topoff) you may want to look into that, plus a reservoir adequate to supply that over several days. (I use a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Brute trashcan). __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/10/2009, 09:16 AM	#3
mehaffydr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville AL. Posts: 144	If It is glass I would use a razor Blade to scrape it clean. I would then clean with vinegar and water and rinse completely. The vinegar will evapoate long before you ever put any livstock in. Last edited by mehaffydr; 03/10/2009 at 09:29 AM.

03/10/2009, 09:20 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	And by the way *To Reef Central* __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/10/2009, 09:21 AM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I assume it's a glass tank? White vinegar is safe, and a good start. You can even fill the tank and soak it in a water/vinegar solution (5:1) overnight to help with any interior cleaning. Exterior you can use some natural cleaning products if you'd like. But again, if any of this is acrylic, may advice may change. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

03/10/2009, 09:19 AM	#4
rfosgategt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 105	do what the first guy said, don't use bleach...very bad...

03/10/2009, 09:25 AM	#7
turretdr I want to play a game Join Date: May 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 296	Vinegar, water, and elbow grease. BTW, don't use anything that contains ammonia, ie. Windex or other glass cleaner. __________________ NO REGRETS.Every decision we make is based on current knowledge. NO REGRETS.

03/10/2009, 09:42 AM	#8
haps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. Louis Missouri.....ish Posts: 11	Excellent. White vinegar it is. Yes, the tank is glass. I've got the RO/DI sorted and will be fabbing my own top-off circuitry. I'm in the middle of my build at the moment and won't be stocking livestock anytime soon. I have much to learn before I allow one drop of water in my system. Thanks very much for your quick responses.